Inspectors are consulting on changes to how ratings are handed out, with city education leaders hoping the overall picture of what is going on at schools will be taken into account – not just pupils’ grades in exams.

Teachers hope the agency will take into account staffing pressures following budget cuts.

Mayfield School head David Jeapes said he and his North End colleagues hope the inspections will be less data driven, and that the sector is ‘working under huge financial pressures and pressures in terms of recruitment and retainment of staff’.

Ofsted held a Headteacher's meeting at Portsmouth Guildhall on Monday, March 4. Picture: Sarah Standing (040319-857)

He said: ‘Parents want, and pupils want, great results but it’s not their top priority. What people really want for schools is children to be happy, and they make great progress if we get that right.’

Mr Jeapes added: ‘It’s a real positive, I think Ofsted have listened to schools around the concerns that they had the the previous framework was driven by outcomes and outcomes alone.

The teacher and University of Portsmouth academic said: ‘I know we have a way to go with the data but this is a real positive story if kids are being educated in good or outstanding schools - their attainment will be looking better.’

Fernhurst Junior School head teacher Roberta Kirby – whose school is rated as good – said she welcomed the consultation but was concerned 150 minutes’ notice for inspections could be disastrous.

She said: ‘It’s just plain rude and shows a lack of understanding about what happens in a school. As a headteacher I feel I should be there for Ofsted. If we were given two hours’ notice it’s not sufficient to be there.’

Trending

Home alone boy left cowering as axe-wielding intruder with head torch burgles Gosport house